COURAGE
NELSON PRICE
JOSHUA 1:9
8/24/97 PM
Jesus Christ was the most courageous person who ever
lived. If we are going to follow Him isn't it logical that we should be
courageous? Confronted with the challenge of the cross it is said,
"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be
received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,"
(Luke 9:51).
Our Savior, as our example, is a living exhortation to
courage.
I. A DEFINITION OF COURAGE
Can you relate courage to perseverance and patience?
Perseverance speaks of determination in moving toward a goal.
Patience identifies the proper attitude in moving there. Courage
speaks of the conviction that will overcome an obstacle, however
dangerous or threatening.
Perseverance may have a "grind-it-out" outlook, but a
persevering person may not plan to encounter a "Goliath" along the
way. A courageous person says yes when the average person
says, "You must be crazy." Joshua and Caleb said yes - the ten
other spies said, "Nothing doing." The Israelites faithlessly followed
the ten.
There is a risk in courage that does not necessarily exist in
perseverance or patience. I believe that we have not learned how
to take risks for God. Jonathan took a risk and turned the tide of
the campaign against the Philistines (I Samuel 14:6-15). Esther
took a risk ("If I perish, I perish...") and delivered the Jews from
genocide. Daniel's three friends took a risk and Jesus came in
person to deliver them ("Our God...is able to deliver us...But if
not...").
Pontius Pilate didn't want to risk his reputation neither did
Peter, not the other disciples.
II. A DESIRABLE EXAMPLE FROM THE BIBLE
Courage rises, not out of one's ability to cope with a fearful
situation, but out of God's. We are continually reminded by
Scripture not to be afraid, because God is present with us. The
Psalmist said, "God is...a very present help in trouble. Therefo ...
NELSON PRICE
JOSHUA 1:9
8/24/97 PM
Jesus Christ was the most courageous person who ever
lived. If we are going to follow Him isn't it logical that we should be
courageous? Confronted with the challenge of the cross it is said,
"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be
received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,"
(Luke 9:51).
Our Savior, as our example, is a living exhortation to
courage.
I. A DEFINITION OF COURAGE
Can you relate courage to perseverance and patience?
Perseverance speaks of determination in moving toward a goal.
Patience identifies the proper attitude in moving there. Courage
speaks of the conviction that will overcome an obstacle, however
dangerous or threatening.
Perseverance may have a "grind-it-out" outlook, but a
persevering person may not plan to encounter a "Goliath" along the
way. A courageous person says yes when the average person
says, "You must be crazy." Joshua and Caleb said yes - the ten
other spies said, "Nothing doing." The Israelites faithlessly followed
the ten.
There is a risk in courage that does not necessarily exist in
perseverance or patience. I believe that we have not learned how
to take risks for God. Jonathan took a risk and turned the tide of
the campaign against the Philistines (I Samuel 14:6-15). Esther
took a risk ("If I perish, I perish...") and delivered the Jews from
genocide. Daniel's three friends took a risk and Jesus came in
person to deliver them ("Our God...is able to deliver us...But if
not...").
Pontius Pilate didn't want to risk his reputation neither did
Peter, not the other disciples.
II. A DESIRABLE EXAMPLE FROM THE BIBLE
Courage rises, not out of one's ability to cope with a fearful
situation, but out of God's. We are continually reminded by
Scripture not to be afraid, because God is present with us. The
Psalmist said, "God is...a very present help in trouble. Therefo ...
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